[CPEO-MEF] PFAS: Public water testing in Harvard (Devens area), MA

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

Water quality forum: Many PFAS questions, few answers

BY JOAN ELIYESWL
Harvard Press (MA)
JULY 6, 2019

At a June 19 water quality forum held in Town Hall, the only thing that was clear was that Harvard’s PFAS story is still being written. Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) officials revealed new test results on three public water supplies in Harvard that showed PFAS levels in the Ayer Road Properties water are significantly higher than those from previous tests, and two new PFAS compounds were detected (see table below).

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a family of chemical compounds used to manufacture stain-resistant, water-resistant, and nonstick products. Although scientists are just beginning to look at the substances’ effects on humans, studies show they may interfere with the development of fetuses and infants. Army contractors have identified several sources of PFAS contamination in the area of Devens bordering the northwest part of Harvard, and they are working to determine its migration path. As part of that work, the northwest part of Harvard was tested last August, and results showed PFAS in multiple private and small public water supplies. But without knowing the source and migration path, it’s difficult to determine who is responsible for the contamination and whose wells may be at risk.


…

For the entire article, see
https://www.harvardpress.com/News/News-Articles/ArtMID/4510/ArticleID/19337/Water-quality-forum-Many-PFAS-questions-few-answers

--

Lenny Siegel
Executive Director
Center for Public Environmental Oversight
a project of the Pacific Studies Center
P.O. Box 998, Mountain View, CA 94042
Voice/Fax: 650/961-8918 
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org

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